Best and cheapest fender cover you will find. If you really want to treat your car right, you might even source a new one.

 

I had a car with new mufflers parked over another car recently and condensation from the exhaust joints dripped on the white car below and I didn’t see it for a week. It left brownish tinted water spots and trails on the white car that detailer spray and microfiber cloths didn’t faze. But a little Wizard’s Polish crème on a towel took it off easily. Stripping of wax is a good idea and then if still visible, I would try a good quality polish with an orbital polisher and I will be very surprised if it isn’t gone.

 

While we are on the topic of detailing.

What is the best/safest way to clean the engine bay without causing any damage to the electrical wiring, etc?
Don't want to use some powerful engine cleaner that takes off the paint or melts the rubber parts.

 

Some bad advice in this thread as I would not assume the 'waffle' effect is related to the newest of the clear coat, curing etc...I say that because my 67 Corvette Convertible was repainted in two stage clear coat back in the nineties. The fender cover does the same thing to my paint, and I stopped using it for that reason because it's a nuisance. I've gone back to draping a 100% cotton towel on the fender or going naked being careful that I don't have any clothes on that can scratch paint. As for getting the waffle effect off the paint, I've found that my normal upkeep regimen eventually took care of it. Before every drive, I go over the car with a California car duster, followed by detail spray wiped off with a good microfiber towel (my preferred detail spray is Zaino Z-6). Between that and sunlight it goes away.

Not a chemist or anything but the waffle effect is reminiscent of what Porsche paint will do when covered by a car bra--it gets a milky finish that those in the know attribute to simple moisture in the air being somewhat absorbed into the surface layer of the clear coat. And that's even if the bra never gets wet.

Somehow that fender cover material is producing a surface effect, and since my goes away after being driven a couple of times on 1-2 hour drives on a nice hot summer day, makes me go hmmmm...so my two cents is just do what you usually do to keep your car looking nice between drives, drive it a few times and see if the mysterious waffle effect goes away, before doing anything more drastic. And up to you--I don't use my fender cover and still have it in the original cardboard box. Very nearly threw it out before my move last Summer, to my new place.

 

I've sanded a bunch of cars with 1200, 2000, and 3k. If you use wet dry paper, a wet sanding block, and a LOT of patience you should be fine. The buffer will burn through the paint very quickly if you do it wrong. I assume you are skilled and knowledgeable in the use of the wool wheels, foam pads so I won't lecture on that. If I'm being honest, I doubt you need to get into wet sanding and buffing. I'd be VERY surprised if that fender gripper is causing any sort of issue with the paint at with off-gassing. I have the same gripper and have left it on my paint for a week or more and I've never had an issue.

A good wax and grease remove should take car of any imprinting, but I'm not there to see what you're up against.

Good luck and go slow

Ted

 

Many thanks for all the responses and suggestions. My final decision is not to sand and buff. I've used wax remover and the pattern is still there, but I am going to continue to use swirl remover on my random orbital buffer - the big buffer is just too big of a risk! It does seem to be getting less visible each time I buff and polish. I'm thinking if I get it out in the Florida sun for a while that may help. I did get one of those giant microfiber towels. I wish I had done that long ago.

 

Interesting thread and frustrating phenomenon - As several have stated above, I would totally be ditching that cover

FWIW I use big thick terry cloth towels that I keep freshly cleaned in a stack nearby (only as a paint protector - not to polish etc)
Black shows EVERYTHING

 

Yes, that fender “protector” would be enjoying the view from the inside of my trash can.

Maybe try contacting the manufacturer of the fender protector and asking them for advice. They may have already dealt with others having this problem.

Steve

 

I just bought the same fender cover and it is leaving the same waffle pattern on the paint . The manufacturer should be recalling these covers before someone has a $30,000. paint job ruined .

 

I like the foam covers because of their grip, light impact resistance/cushioning and moisture/oil resistance. Sounds like a bad bunch of the stuff is on the market now. I guess they could be used over an old bath towel or large large microfiber towel on the fender, or as suggested thrown away. I gave up on the old foam backed, vinyl covers as after some years the foam cushion starts deteriorating.